A light launch – the EOS R8 becomes Canon's lightest R series camera yet

Canon Europe announces the EOS R8, a new full frame mirrorless camera with a compact design, which it expects to be available from the end of April 2023.

Featuring a 24.2 megapixel full frame CMOS sensor, high ISO and improved dynamic range, the EOS R8 is accompanied by the launch of the RF 24-50mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM. This pairing creates a compact yet powerful kit bag combo. Weighing approx. 461g, the EOS R8 is Canon’s lightest full frame EOS R-series camera to date. Measuring 132.5 x 86.1 x 70mm the camera has similar dimensions to the EOS RP, with a number of additional professional level features contained in its compact body.

The class-leading CMOS sensor – the same used in the R6 Mark II camera – offers a fast readout speed in order to unlock a number of advanced features, including a reduced rolling shutter that enables 40fps continuous shooting and a highest ISO setting of 102,400 with low noise. It can capture full width 4K 60p footage that is oversampled from 6K, as well as 180fps Full HD recording for slow motion videos. The camera also supports Canon Log 3 at 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2 H.265 internal recording which offers greater dynamic range and more flexibility in post-production. Extended recording times for up to two hours of normal video shooting are also possible.

Featuring the powerful sensor-based Dual Pixel CMOS AF II focusing system, the EOS R8 can achieve focus in as little as 0.03 seconds even at 40fps with the electronic shutter. Its intelligent AI-programmed system detects and tracks a range of subjects including animals, vehicles and people, offering head, face and eye detection for precision focus. There's also an Auto setting, first seen on the EOS R6 Mark II, so you can leave the subject selection For greater control, it is even possible to select which eye to prioritise.

The RF 24-50mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM – launched at the same time as the R8 camera – offers optical image stabilisation of up to 4.5 stops. The STM focusing motor is fast and quiet, with extra control from a customisable lens control ring that's common to all of the RF lenses. Benefiting from the RF Mount, this new lens supports a wide range of in-camera image enhancement features including panning in scene mode and focus breathing correction for video.

For more information, visit the System pages for the Canon EOS R8 and RF 24-50mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM lens.

The EOS R8 is expected to be available from late April 2023 for £1699.99 (RRP).

The RF 24-50mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM lens will be available from the end of April 2023 with an RRP of £379.99.

More EOS firmware updates

Canon released a number of firmware updates in March 2024, as follows: EOS R3 – version 1.7.1 1. Enables servo zooming to be remotely controlled from EOS Utility or Camera Connect when Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2/PZ-E2B is attached to a compatible lens. 2. Enables up to 2 TB to be used on CFexpress cards larger than 2 TB. 3. Fixes an issue that may cause the camera, in rare instances, to stop functioning when using GPS. 4. Fixes an issue that may display Error Code 70 when performing anti-flicker shooting at a shutter speed of 1 second or higher. 5. Enhances security for FTPS (File Transfer Protocol Security) connections. 6. Fixes an issue in which Mobile File Transfer may not function when connecting the camera to an iPhone compatible with USB 3.0 and higher. 7. Fixes an issue that, under specific circumstances, may prevent the image from being displayed in the viewfinder or on the screen causing the camera to stop operating, or Error Code 70 may be displayed. 8. Fixes minor issues. EOS

Canon announces development of flagship EOS R1

Canon Inc. has announced today that it is currently developing the EOS R1, a full-frame mirrorless camera, as the first flagship model for the EOS R system. Whilst there is no timeline given for launch as yet, Canon has released hints of what's to come in terms of technology. It will use a newly developed processor, called DIGIC Accelerator, alongside the existing DIGIC X found in other R-series cameras plus a newly developed image sensor, which will enable a large volume of data to be processed at high speeds, and which will also deliver advances in autofocus (AF) and other functions as yet unspecified. The Deep learning technology – first found in the current flagship EOS-1D X Mark III DSLR camera – will be embedded in the new EOS R1. Canon also mentions a new AF 'Action Priority' function, which " further recognises subject movement by rapidly analysing the subject's status ". This AI-based programming promises to predict the key activity in a match, there

Canon announces EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II as next R system evolution

Canon has today launched two new cameras for the EOS R system – the EOS R1, a new flagship model to take over from the EOS-1D X Mark III, and the EOS R5 Mark II, the next iteration of the ever-popular 5-series. The two camera share much more than just a launch date. They herald the arrival of the next generation of Canon's sensor-based focusing system – Dual Pixel Intelligent AF – as well as offering a raft of improvements over previous R-series cameras. The new features and the improvements alike are powered by a duo of DIGIC processors, one DIGIC X and one DIGIC Accelerator – and by Deep Learning, with the introduction of Action Priority AF for team-based sports. Both cameras sport brand new, purpose-made back illuminated stacked (BSI) sensors; the EOS R1 offers 24.2MP and the EOS R5 Mark II offers 45MP. Rolling shutter effect is reduced, significantly so on the EOS R1. In-camera there's also an up-scaling feature, giving users of both cameras the opportunity to increase res

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